So, it all started with an idea to break a Guinness World Record to longboard across the country until I found someone who destroyed the previous longboarding distance record on a 3-and-a-half year across-the-mother-flippin-world expedition. Across N. America, Europe, and into China 12,159km. Damn.

But then I thought, what about doing a little stretch from Kelowna to Peachland (31 Km.) so I tried it. Left at 7am on Sat., Sept. 14, got to Peachland in just over 2 hours and then decided to go on to Penticton to make it a solid 69 Km.

Had a couple of sketchy sections: almost running over a hitch-hiking prostitute who wouldn’t move off of the bike path while I was cruising down the steepest hill but for the most part it was a mellow ride. Oh, and why did I decide to do it in Crocs you ask? So I could do the ol’ 1 foot on, 1 foot drag down the steep hills and chuck them after the ride. Quality.

So while I was cruising, listening to my tunes, and loving the fact that I live in the greatest part of this earth, I came up with an idea. An annual event:

Cruise for Cancer

Breakfast for longboarding

Crocs ARE the official longboarding shoe

Signs are to be ignored at all costs

Peachland dock

Grip before the biggest downhill

Stop just past Summerland

Map from Kelowna to Penticton

The basic idea is this – have a 10 – 15km circuit where anyone would be able to show up with some sort of wheeled device… skateboard, bike, blades, wheelchair, lawn chair…

Let’s say the cost for the race would be $25 – you get a shirt and bunch of other stuff made in China, have a little BBQ and some bands playing and instead of the money going towards cancer research (like a lot of the big races do) the cash would go to families where one of the parents have terminal cancer. There are a few really solid organizations like the Make a Wish Foundation who grant wishes of kids who have serious medical conditions but there are none (that I know of) that do this for adults.

Inspired by the unbelievable kindness we’ve been shown by our friends and community where they’ve given us sailing trips, surprise parties, donations, meals and basically asked Ingrid “what are you dreaming about… let’s make it happen”. I would love to see a few other families experience this kind of lavish kindness.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this – if it’s meant to happen, there will be S loads of work to do but in the meantime, I bought the domain http://cruiseforcancer.ca so if it becomes something, we’ll at least have a start on the CFC marketing.

3 Comments

Cristal KoopOctober 3, 2013 @ 2:40 PM

You probably don’t know me, we lived in Kelowna for years, but are not longer there. I LOVE your idea of cruise for cancer and having the $ go towards families!!! Really Really love this idea. From Personal experience with this truly horrible disease I can also attest to just how important and necessary and life giving something like this could be!

Nico, I did not know that this had gotten to this extent and I absolutely LOVE your ideas and your family more. We will sign up for the cruise for cancer and help in any way we can. Ingrid and your family are in my prayers. “EFF CANCER!!! Love yay friend Lisa

Nico, I am really sorry to hear about your wife’s cancer. 🙁 I don’t know your family but when I see pictures of you all, the LOVE between you is almost bouncing out of my computer screen!! Sending best wishes to you and your wife Ingrid. 🙂